RON AND LAURA TAKE BACK AMERICA, a new political mockumentary satire that tackles many of the issues enveloping the current election season, is set to make its New York City premiere beginning March 25 at Cinema Village (22 East 12th Street, NYC), following a run in Los Angeles (March 9 premiere, and running March 18-24).
In the style of Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show, Ron and Laura Take Back America follows the exploits of a hapless conservative suburban couple who decide to take their country back from the dangers of Obamacare, immigration reform, and gay marriage... issues that have fueled the fires of recent political debates across the nation. But when the "culture wars" land right in their own backyard - a gay son; an undocumented immigrant housekeeper; a Muslim-American doctor - Ron and Laura have to double down on their convictions if they're going to save their son and the country that they love. Just in time for election season, Ron and Laura Take Back America is an irreverent and hilarious take on the sticky issues that unite and divide us.
Written and directed by its co-stars, the comedy team of Mel England (Little Big Top) and Janice Markham (Grandma Sylvia's Funeral), the film also stars Golden Globe® Best Actress NomineeIrene Bedard (Into The West), Jim J. Bullock ("Hollywood Squares"), features a celebrity cameo by Academy Award® Best Actress Nominee Sally Kirkland, and is executive produced by Tony® Award winning producer Sue Vaccaro (Clybourne Park) and Jay Hopkins (Best Day Ever), and produced by Neal Rubinstein (Broadway's On The Town).
Said Mel England, "Ron and Laura Grawsill might not approve of New York City, but we're thrilled that Ron and Laura Take Back America will be making its NYC debut." Janice Markham added, "What better time than in the midst of election season to introduce two brave new political voices to the world?"
For trailers, photos, and more information about Ron and Laura Take Back America, visit www.RonandLauraTakeBackAmerica.com.
ABOUT THE CREATORS:
MEL ENGLAND ("Ron," co-writer/co-director) has starred on screen and stage, Off Broadway, internationally and across the USA. In addition to "Ron and Laura Take Back America," he stars in the feature "Best Day Ever" (available worldwide on Amazon), winner Best LGBT Film (IndieFest USA), and appears alongside Academy Award Best Actress Nominee and Golden Globe Winner Sally Kirkland in "Archaeology of a Woman." He recently signed to star with Kirkland in the upcoming film "Love Anonymous." England also stars in indie hit "Little Big Top" (released worldwide on Netflix & Amazon), "Persona Au Gratin," Winner Best Comedy (IndieFest USA), and in "Highlights," nominated for Best Drama (Moviefone Short Film Festival).
On stage, England has performed Off Broadway, regionally and internationally. England's solo show "Swimming with the Polar Bears" premiered Off Broadway, and as part of a benefit for The Climate Project featured posters of the show signed by Vice President Al Gore. It then toured worldwide, to LA, Washington DC's National Mall for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, and the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen. England's solo show "Navajo Memoirs" was dubbed "Ingenious" by Backstage. Other Off Broadway credits include "Hecuba," "Marriage," and "Imaginary Invalid." England starred in the NY and LA premieres of Israel Horovitz's "3 Weeks After Paradise." Other notable productions include "Lucky Man" (Best Acting Ensemble, NY Fringe) and "A Shayna Maidel" (Best Play of the Year, Denver). He was a proud part of the original NY productions of Chris Sanderson's "Midsummer Night's Dream," "Sea Monkeys" by Tony Nominee Chad Beguelin, "The Honeysuckles" (developed for TV by FOX), and "King of Connecticut" with Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
JANICE MARKHAM ("Laura," co-writer/co-director) is a writer, actor, musician, activist and Artistic Director of Vox Box Arts Collective and co-founder of the sister company, Vox Box Entertainment, along with her husband, Gideon Markham. Janice is honored to have won a slew of awards for VBE's debut co-production, "Ron and Laura Take Back America" along with co- star/writer/director/producer, Mel England and Gideon as cinematographer.
Janice's current projects include the multi-media work, "The Rainbow Crow" with Emmy Award winning designer Keith Mitchell, and Golden Globe Best Actress nominee, Irene Bedard. She originated characters in the off-Broadway shows "The Boychick Affair" and "Grandma Sylvia's Funeral," one of NY's longest running off-Broadway productions. Janice relished portraying the grandma, mother and granddaughter in the film "Miriam Cornsweig's Farewell Performance," which won a two-year airing contract on the Sundance Channel. She was also proud to host 17 episodes of "Press for Democracy" airing on Free Speech TV.
Janice plays violin in the Jewish Cultural Revival band and theater ensemble, Mostly Kosher. With a live radio show format, Janice has channeled her Jewish Grandma with her "Mamela" character to great acclaim. Performance venues: Skirball Cultural Center, John Anson Ford Theater and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Mostly Kosher won a World Music Network award for "I Love You Much Too Much", and the music video was nominated for two awards at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema. Janice plays music and creates live sound design for "The Black Version", the award-winning sketch comedy show in its sixth year. Original cast members include Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele with guest artists Maya Rudolph, Wayne Brady and Niecy Nash. Janice is also a freelance writer for Disney Publishing and Cartoon Network.
"RON AND LAURA TAKE BACK AMERICA" is a joint production of Vox Box Entertainment and Magical Iguana Productions, in association with Vaccaro Motion Pictures and Sleeping Lady Films, and has garnered a total of 16 awards and nominations from the festival circuit, including wins for "Best Comedy," "Best of Festival," "Best Director" and "Best Actress" and nominations for "Best Actor" and "Best Screenplay."
RON AND LAURA TAKE BACK AMERICA will make its New York City premiere beginning March 25 at Cinema Village (22 East 12th Street, NYC 10003). For tickets, trailers, and more information about the film, visit www.RonandLauraTakeBackAmerica.com.
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